Background

"A strong union advocate, Ramos worked with Build Up NYC to fight for construction, building and hotel, and maintenance workers in New York City from 2014 to 2015. Ramos also worked with a local chapter of the Social Service Employees Union from 2008 to 2011 and a regional branch of the Service Employees International Union from 2011 to 2014, where she helped building maintenance workers, office cleaners and public schools cleaners win contracts that protected their rights, wages, and benefits.

"As the first American-born in her family, Jessica felt a deep sense of responsibility in bridging the gap between immigrant and non-immigrant communities. Jessica’s mother crossed the Mexican border by herself at 24, and her father was arrested in a workplace immigration raid in the early 1980’s and spent days held in a detention center. Jessica’s first job was at a Jackson Heights immigration law firm where she first met construction workers hurt on the job—inspiring her commitment to workers’ rights, and racial and economic justice.

"Most recently, Jessica served as Director of Latino Media for the City of New York. As the city’s chief Latina spokesperson, Jessica helped keep our city’s 1.87 million Spanish-speaking residents, and the community and ethnic media at large, informed about government services and initiatives.

"Jessica credits her love for activism and public service to her parents, Colombian immigrants who fought for and won the right to dual citizenship for Colombian-Americans and founded Siempre Colombia, a not-for-profit organization in Jackson Heights that sent aid to Colombians affected by the devastating earthquake in 1999."

'Rise and Resist' Rally for Jessica Ramos

"Join us as we rally for Jessica Ramos, our next state senator in District 13. Ramos, members of grassroots groups, and Democrat voters will meet at 31st St. and Ditmars Blvd. for a short rally and voter education.

Jose Peralta may have rejoined the Democrats for now, but he has been willing to ally himself with the GOP since 2016. Queens deserves a REAL Democrat who stands for progressive values, not a Trump Democrat."

The newly formed True Blue NY Grassroots Coalition is a diverse network of groups that have mobilized statewide with a unified goal to defeat the IDC. Coalition leaders spoke out today at a press conference at City Hall in Manhattan. The Coalition will eventually endorse challengers for all of the districts represented by IDC members.